Korpijaakko

In addition to demanding ski expedition there is a lot more to do in the outdoors in winter! For the winter season 2014 I offer set of tours on skis, snowshoes and with dog sleds.

Guiding language: FI = Finnish, EN = English, GE = German

The Ways of Winter Wilderness

TVP14-1: 28.2.-2.3.2014, Repovesi National Park, Southern Finland (Guiding in Finnish, English and in German!)

The Ways of Winter Wilderness teaches a safe and efficient approach for traveling and camping in Nordic Winter Conditions. On the course you will have change to familiarize yourself with different tools and techniques and learn useful and efficient skills and routines. The course will be held in Repovesi Narional Park offering beautiful environment and varying terrain for trying different tools and techniques.

The Course starts on Friday 12:00 with a short walk to an indoors base camp in the National Park. Friday evening will be spent learning basic skills and background knowledge. In addition we’ll take a hands-on approach on food and cooking and camping in winter conditions. Night spend indoors, in tents, under tarps or under the starry sky.

On Saturday we will do two half-a-day tours to the surrounding areas and test different types of skis and snowshoes and transporting gear in rucksacks and sleds/pulkas. In the evening we continue with the food and cooking and camping topics and build snow shelters. Night spend indoors, in tents, under tarps, under the starry sky or in snow shelters.

On Sunday we will do a longer tour back to the starting point. The Course will end by 14:00.

Topics to be covered on the course may include for example:

– special characteristics of Nordic winter conditions
– Nordic areas for winter trips and expeditions
– gear and food for Nordic winter conditions
– tools and techniques for moving in winter conditions
– camping in tents, under tarps and snow shelters
– safety in Nordic winter conditions
– Leave No Trace principles and minimizing the impacts of winter outdoor activities

Previous summer hiking and camping experience is required, as is suitable clothing and a warm sleeping bag. Limited equipment available for rent. The participants must be 18-years old. Underage participants are welcome when accompanied by adult.

Price: 250 euros (inc. VAT)

The price includes: lecture material, nights in chosen accommodation, skis, snowshoes, the pulkas/sleds, tents, tarps and stoves for testing plus special group gear.

Group size: 6-14 persons.

If you are interested in this course be in touch via e-mail! The enrollment is open until 2.2.2014.

E-mail: jaakko.heikka@gmail.com

Ski Expedition into the Light – Polar Night at frozen Lake Inari

HV14-1: 5.-12.1.2014, Lake Inari, Finnish Lapland (Guiding available in Finnish and English)

On this expedition we will ski on the frozen plains and maze of myriad islands of Lake Inari on the last week of polar night to admire the first sunrise of the year. The vast ice fields, extreme temperatures and the short daylight of the polar night make this expedition demanding but also unforgettable experience.

We will ski six days on the frozen Saami sea of Lake Inari and mostly in tents but also in snow shelters. During the day we have about six hours of good “twilight”, temperatures can drop down to -40°C and icy plains don’t offer any protection from winds. These conditions are not suitable for beginners but offer memorable challenges and experiences for the experienced. The light of the polar night is soft, frozen plains are vast and the long dark nights offer excellent possibilities for enjoying the northern lights.

Participants are required to have skills and previous experience from deep winter conditions and an outfit suitable for demanding Arctic winter conditions. We are glad to help you to choose the right and proven gear. Limited equipment also available for rent. The participants must be 18-years old. Underage participants are welcome when accompanied by adult.

Price: 590 euros (inc. VAT)

The price includes: ground transportation on route Oulu-Inari-Oulu, evening snack and breakfast on the way, a night indoors before and after the ski expedition, and the pulkas/sleds, tents and stoves used on the expedition plus special group gear.

For international participants the easiest way to join in is from airports in Oulu, Rovaniemi or Inari. Please ask for logistical details.

Group size: 4-8 persons.

If you are interested in this course be in touch via e-mail! The enrollment is open until 8.12.2013.

E-mail: jaakko.heikka@gmail.com

Deep Winter Wilderness – Snowshoes, Skis and Dog sleds!

KV14-1: Deep-winter wilderness 12.-19.1.2013, Taivalkoski, Northern Finland. (Guiding in Finnish and English)

Dog sleds are traditional means of transportation in the Arctic regions especially in the Northern America and Greenland but they work well also in Finland. On this tour we will travel with dog sleds, snowshoes and skis and we will also get a grip of skills needed in Nordic Winter conditions.

The trip is a wonderful experience on its own but it is also a good starting point if you dream on doing a dogsled expedition to Svalbard or Greenland!

A week in the wilderness and hills includes a lot! During the week we will do:

– a day tour on snowshoes,
– an overnight mini-expedition on skis with night in wilderness hut, tent or snow shelter
– and the highlight of the week will be a three-day dog sledding tour spending nights in traditional wilderness huts and/or snow shelters with daily lunch breaks in the woods by a fire.

When not spending nights in the outdoors we will recover, relax and sleep in log cabins with modern comforts.

The mid-January offers true winter conditions: daylight is scarce and temperature can be extremely low but the snow-covered landscape is true winter wonderland in the soft Arctic light and during the long dark nights we have an excellent chance to see the auroras dance on the night sky.

Previous experience is not required. Suitable clothing and a warm sleeping bag are required. We are glad to help you to choose the right and proven gear. Limited equipment also available for rent. The participants must be 18-years old. Underage participants are welcome when accompanied by adult.

Price: 1090 euros (inc. VAT)

The price includes: ground transportation from Oulu or Kuusamo, four nights in modern log cabin, full board, dog teams and sleds, warm footwear and overalls, the pulkas/sleds, tents and stoves.)

For international participants transportation from Oulu or Kuusamo airports is arranged. Please ask for logistical detail, if interested.

Group size: 3-6 persons.

If you are interested in this course be in touch via e-mail! The enrollment is open until 15.12.2013.

E-mail: jaakko.heikka@gmail.com